The Dallas Mavericks spent the opening weeks of the season trying to steady a ship that seemed to be taking on water fast.
A team expected to make strides in the Western Conference instead fell to 8-15, searching for rhythm, identity, and consistent health.
But now, with three straight wins and their young star surging, Cooper Flagg believes the rough stretch could be exactly what Dallas needed.
Flagg, who scored 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting in Wednesday’s 118-108 win over the Miami Heat, said the early turbulence has already shaped the Mavericks in meaningful ways.
“I think I learned a lot throughout that period,” Flagg told reporters after the game. “As a team, I think we learned a lot as well.
Obviously it wasn’t the start we were looking for… but I think it will give us a lot of gratitude moving forward if we can find success. We learned a lot, I learned a lot personally. I think I grew a lot in that time period as well.”
Why Dallas suddenly looks more dangerous
The turnaround hasn’t been fueled by one player, it’s a shift across the roster.
Ryan Nembhard‘s emergence as a steadying point guard has changed the entire pace and spacing of the offense.
After weeks of experimenting with line-ups and roles, the Mavericks now look more composed and deliberate with the ball.
Klay Thompson has begun to look like himself again from beyond the arc, while Anthony Davis‘ return from injury has restored a defensive presence Dallas desperately needed.
And through all of it, Flagg has gone from intriguing rookie to nightly problem for opponents.
The 18-year-old has now scored 20 or more points in three straight games, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to hit that mark. His composure has even caught the eye of Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
“He just has a great maturity about him,” Spoelstra said. “He’s not even 19 years old. I just can’t fathom… it doesn’t make sense.
And if I was 18, I would stat hunt and not play the right way. He just has a great competitive spirit, plays the right way, competes to win. That’s extremely hard to teach young players.”
Growing chemistry with teammates
Flagg‘s confidence is growing alongside his chemistry with Nembhard. The rookie is averaging 17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals, numbers that suggest a trajectory far beyond typical first-year expectations.
If his three-point shot develops, the ceiling may be even higher than the Mavericks anticipated.
Dallas may still be a year or two away from full contention, but with Kyrie Irving expected back in early 2026 and the core finally stabilizing, the blueprint is taking shape.
A lineup featuring Irving, Davis, Thompson, Nembhard, and Flagg could cause problems for anyone down the stretch.
The Mavericks now head into a massive early-season measuring stick: a Friday matchup with the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
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